U.S. patent application number 10/884116 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for method and apparatus for bulk food marking and tracking with supplier rating system.
Invention is credited to Arguimbau, Vincent C. III.
Application Number | 20050075900 10/884116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34437404 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050075900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arguimbau, Vincent C. III |
April 7, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for bulk food marking and tracking with
supplier rating system
Abstract
A method and apparatus for tracking and recording the processing
of food products from the farm to the ultimate consumer, provides
for recording each step on a central ledger, and for rating each
manufacturer and/or supplier, whereby the time, dates of
manufacture, and manufacturers of all containers, including
gathering baskets used to carry associated food products are
tracked, through use of scannable printed labels and/or RFID tags
encoded along with crop pickers' names in association with their
identified gathering baskets, the time and date of all
manufacturing or processing and packing steps, and the identity of
associated processors, packers, distributors, and wholesalers.
Inventors: |
Arguimbau, Vincent C. III;
(Darien, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID M QUINLAN, PC
32 NASSAU STREET
SUITE 300
PRINCETON
NJ
08542
US
|
Family ID: |
34437404 |
Appl. No.: |
10/884116 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10884116 |
Jul 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
10677405 |
Oct 2, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/87 ; 705/333;
705/7.36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/0637 20130101;
G06Q 10/0833 20130101; G06Q 10/087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/001 ;
705/008; 705/010 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for tracking and recording the processing of food
products from the farm to the ultimate consumer, said method
comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of radio frequency
identification tags (RFID's) each being encoded with a unique code
or number, and each being scannable by an associated RFID scanner;
providing a label maker with a number generator for printing a
scannable unique code or number upon a label, for producing a
plurality of uniquely encoded labels as required; applying either
one or a combination of said RFID tags and said permanent labels
onto a plurality of food gathering baskets located on the premises
of the food gathering organization, each label and/or tag being
coded for uniquely identifying each basket and the associated
manufacturer, each label being provided through use of said label
maker; and scanning the respective labels and/or RFID tags on said
baskets when distributed to crop pickers, for recording on said
ledger the name of the crop picker assigned a particular basket,
and date and time markings, along with other information printed on
the label and/or encoded in said tag.
2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or tags on each full crop gathering basket returned
by a crop picker to a receiving station of the associated gathering
organization, for date and time marking the receipt, and updating
the ledger to show each such receipt, the crop picker's
identification, and noting the product, farm source, and any other
required data, along with removing the crop picker's name from
assignment of the basket.
3. The method of claim 2, further including the steps of: labeling
and/or tagging with RFID tags processing tanks with a permanent
unique identification number or code; and scanning the labels
and/or RFID tags on each full gathering basket at the time of
dumping its food product into a receiving processing tank or
container, for date and time marking the dumping, noting the
destination of the tank or container, and updating the ledger.
4. The method of claim 3, further including the steps of: applying
to every relatively large container a permanent uniquely encoded
RFID tag, and/or label imprinted with a scannable unique code or
number, said label and/or RFID tag to be applied at the time of
manufacture, for uniquely identifying each container throughout
their entire period of use; scanning a label and/or RFID tag after
application to a container, for date and time marking the
manufacture of the container, and identifying the manufacturer; and
registering data obtained in said scanning step into a central
ledger for recording placement of the container into the inventory
of the associated manufacturer, and maintaining a permanent record
of the history of the container, including its manufacturer and
use.
5. The method of claim 4, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags for date and time marking all labeled
and/or RFID tagged containers at each station or point in the
process for converting raw food product into a final packaged
product, and for updating the ledger with the scanned data.
6. The method of claim 4, further including the step of scanning
labels and/or RFID tags of empty drums or containers delivered by
intermediate processors to a production line, to provide date and
time marking of each drum along with the associated production line
number and product identification of product to be loaded into an
associated drum, the scanned and included data being used to reduce
the intermediate packer's inventory of packaging materials, and
update the central ledger.
7. The method of claim 6, further including the steps of: moving
processing tanks filled with product to be processed to a
production line, for emptying product onto the production line; and
scanning labels and/or RFID tags of emptied processing tanks for
time and date marking associated product dumping events, for
obtaining data to identify product delivered to the production
line, reduce the intermediate packer's inventory of filled
processing tanks, marking the products association with a
particular production line, and updating said ledger.
8. The method of claim 7, further including the steps of: applying
a label and/or RFID tag to every unlabeled or untagged container,
if any, containing ingredients to be added to product during
processing; and scanning labels and/or RFID tags of containers
carrying ingredients to date and time mark each, and to indicate
the amount of said respective ingredients that are to be added to
product, respectively.
9. The method of claim 7, further including the steps of: scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags on empty large containers to be shipped
to distributors as they are loaded onto transport vehicles for date
and time marking each container for updating said ledger to reduce
the associated manufacturer's inventory, and to produce a packing
list for the associated shipment; and scanning the labels and/or
RFID tags on empty said large containers at the time of delivery to
a distributor for date and time marking them, adding them into the
distributor's inventory, and updating said ledger.
10. The method of claim 9, further including the steps of: scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags on empty said large containers at the
time of loading onto a transport vehicle for shipment from the
distributor to an end user packer, for date and time marking to
both produce a packing list, and reduce the distributor's
inventory, along with updating said ledger; and scanning the labels
and/or RFD tags on empty large containers upon delivery to an end
user packer, for both registering the containers into the packer's
unfinished inventory, and updating said ledger.
11. The method of claim 10, further including the steps of:
scanning labels and/or RFID tags of filled containers or drums
after filling to identify their source product, introduce the same
into the intermediate packer's inventory, and update said ledger,
for the semi-processed product; and scanning labels and/or RFID
tags of containers of semi-processed product as they are loaded
onto transport vehicles for creating a packing list, reducing the
intermediate packer's inventory of semi-processed product, and
updating said ledger.
12. The method of claim 11, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags of the semi-processed product drums or
containers when delivered to a final packer's facility, for date
and time marking, and adding the same to the final packer's
inventory, and updating said ledger.
13. The method of claim 12, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags of any semi-processed product drums or
containers randomly selected for inspection or sampling, for date
and time marking, and adding to said ledger.
14. The method of claim 12, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags of drums or containers of semiprocessed
product for date and time marking when they are delivered to a
final packer, for updating said ledger along with a notation of the
pack line number, and for removing the associated drums or
containers from semi-processed inventory.
15. The method of claim 13, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags of drums or containers of
semi-processed product for date and time marking when they are
delivered to a final packer, for updating said ledger along with a
notation of the pack line number, and for removing the associated
drums or containers from semi-processed inventory.
16. The method of claim 14, further including the steps of:
applying to any pallet loaded with a plurality of relatively small
containers, a permanent label and/or RFID tag imprinted or encoded,
respectively, with a scannable unique code or number, said label to
be applied at the time of loading each said pallet(s), for uniquely
identifying each said pallet(s) as used in association with said
plurality of relatively small containers; scanning the RFID tag
and/or label on each said pallet(s), for date and time marking the
loading of the pallet, identifying the relatively small containers,
and their manufacturer; and registering data obtained in said step
of scanning each pallet label into said ledger, for date and time
marking the loading of a pallet, identifying the containers, and
their manufacturer, and for recording placement of the pallet(s)
with associated containers into the inventory of the associated
manufacturer.
17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags of pallets carrying relatively small
containers for date and time marking the pallet label when brought
to the pack line, and using the scanned data to reduce an inventory
of packaging materials.
18. The method of claim 17, further including the step of removing
any shrink wrap and labels from said pallets.
19. The method of claim 18, further including the step of printing
coded information on said small containers at the time of filling
them with product and sealing the containers.
20. The method of claim 19, further including the steps of: casing
and palletizing the small containers as they exit an associated
packing line; applying a new label and/or RFID tag with a unique
identifying number to each said pallet when loaded with finalized
product in small containers; and scanning the new labels and/or
RFID tags on associated loaded pallets for date and time marking,
updating said ledger with the scanned data and all of the codes on
said small containers carried by each said pallet, and increasing
the inventory of the packer for packed palletized filled
product.
21. The method of claim 20, further including the step of scanning
the labels and/or RFID tags of pallets carrying filled product
containers for date and time marking at the time of loading the
palletized containers onto transport vehicles for shipment to
wholesalers, for creating a packing list, reducing the final
packers inventory of finished product, noting the wholesaler to
receive the products, and updating said ledger.
22. The method of claim 20, further including the steps of:
selecting on a random basis, filled containers of either one of
source product or packed product; sampling product from said
randomly selected containers for laboratory and quality control
analysis; and scanning labels and/or RFID tags of said randomly
selected containers for date and time marking, and adding comments,
all for entry into said ledger for recording the analysis
events.
23. The method of claim 20, further including the step of
correlating associated user databases for reporting from said
ledger the tracking of said product from raw material to final
packed product.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein said correlating step further
includes using P2P programming to provide the correlation.
25. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of: rating
via a predetermined scoring system each supplier involved in the
processing of said food products; and retaining only those
suppliers who consistently score above a predetermined level.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said rating steps includes
scoring each supplier for depth based upon their ability to trace
back to all preceding steps from the processing step or steps
associated with the supplier.
27. The method of claim 26, further including in said rating step:
scoring each supplier relative to the accuracy they exhibit for
each step in the food processing preceding steps for which the
associated supplier is responsible; and multiplying together for
each supplier their attained depth score and accuracy score, to
obtain their respective overall scores.
28. A method for both tracking and recording the plurality of steps
involved in production or processing of food products from the farm
to the ultimate consumer, and for rating suppliers associated with
each one of said plurality of steps, said method comprising for a
given food product lot, the steps of: recording for each production
step the associated date(s), location, processing performed,
container used, identification of picker or worker involved, and
identification of the responsible supplier; carrying an associated
ledger forward to each successive supplier for repeating said
recording step to add the necessary information relative to the
production steps carried out by each supplier; rating via a
predetermined scoring system each supplier involved in the
processing of said food products; and retaining only those
suppliers who consistently score above a predetermined level.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein said rating step includes
scoring each supplier for depth based upon their ability to trace
back to all preceding steps from the processing step or steps
associated with the supplier.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein said rating step further
includes: scoring each supplier relative to the accuracy they
exhibit for each step in the food processing preceding steps for
which the associated supplier is responsible; and multiplying
together for each supplier their attained depth score and accuracy
score, to obtain their respective overall scores.
31. A system for tracking and recording the production of food
products from farm to ultimate consumer, and rating associated
suppliers comprising: an RFID tag system including a plurality of
encodeable RFID tags, at least one encoder, and at least one
associated RFID tag scanner, each tag being encodeable with a
unique identification number or code, and other information; a
label maker including a unique number generator, for applying a
scannable unique number on each label made, for permitting a user
to produce a uniquely encoded label, and to selectively secure a
label and/or an RFID tag on any basket, container, or processing
vessel used for containing or holding food over the entire
production chain and process for the associated food product(s),
each label and/or RFID tag being further encoded when applicable
with information identifying farms, crop pickers, suppliers,
manufacturers, food product(s), and production lines; a label
scanner, and said RFID tag scanner, for scanning each label and/or
RFID tag, respectively, as applied to a basket or any other
container holding the associated food products, said label scanner
and said RFID tag scanner each being utilized over each associated
step involved in moving, transporting, transferring, or storing
associated food products and/or associated containers or processing
vessels, said label scanner and said RFID scanner each providing
digitized signals representative of the information on each label
and/or RFID tag scanned, and the date and time of scanning; a
personal computer (PC) responsive to the label scanner and/or RFID
scanner, for reading the digitized label information into an
associated memory; a server computer remote for each user; means
for permitting a user to transmit from said memory of said PC to
said server computer, the digitized information from each label
scanning; a central ledger for permanently storing the digitized
label and/or RFID tag information received by said server computer;
and means for permitting a user to access the information stored on
said central ledger.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein said transmit means includes
connecting a user PC to said server computer via the Internet.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein said user access means includes
connecting a user PC to said server computer via the Internet.
34. The system of claim 31, wherein said transmit means includes a
modem connection between said PC and said server computer.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein said user access means includes
a modem connection between said PC and said server computer.
36. The system of claim 31, further including: means for
programming said server computer to rate each supplier and/or
manufacturer via a predetermined scoring system, for permitting the
elimination of suppliers who are unable to maintain a desired level
of compliance in said tracking and recording system.
37. A system for tracking and recording the production of food
products from farm to ultimate consumer, and rating associated
suppliers comprising: an RFID tag system including a plurality of
encodeable RFID tags, at least one encoder, and at least one
associated RFID tag scanner, each tag being encodeable with a
unique identification number or code, and other information; a
label maker including a unique number generator, for applying a
scannable unique number on each label made, for permitting a user
to produce a uniquely encoded label, and to selectively secure a
label and/or an RFID tag on any basket, container, or processing
vessel used for containing or holding food over the entire
production chain and process for the associated food product(s),
each label and/or RFID tag being further encoded when applicable
with information identifying farms, crop pickers, suppliers,
manufacturers, food product(s), and production lines; a label
scanner, and said RFID tag scanner, for scanning each label and/or
RFID tag, respectively, as applied to a basket or any other
container holding the associated food products, said label scanner
and said RFID tag scanner each being utilized over each associated
step involved in moving, transporting, transferring, or storing
associated food products and/or associated containers or processing
vessels, said label scanner and said RFID scanner each providing
digitized signals representative of the information on each label
and/or RFID tag scanned, and the date and time of scanning; a
personal computer (PC) responsive to the label scanner and/or RFID
scanner, for reading the digitized label information into an
associated memory; a server computer remote for each user; means
for permitting a user to transmit from said memory of said PC to
said server computer, the digitized information from each label
scanning; a central ledger for permanently storing the digitized
label and/or RFID tag information received by said server computer;
means for permitting a user to access the information stored on
said central ledger; and means for programming said server computer
to rate each supplier and/or manufacturer via a predetermined
scoring system, for permitting the elimination of suppliers who are
unable to maintain a desired level of compliance in said tracking
and recording system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 10/677,405, filed Oct. 2, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is generally directed toward a method
and apparatus for tracking the movement of food products from the
farm to the ultimate consumer, and is more particularly directed
toward tracking food products through all aspects of gathering,
processing, and packaging operations for both permitting subsequent
tracing back through the operations to meet government regulations,
commercial accounting requirements, and consumer reporting
requirements, and for rating suppliers associated therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Food producers, distributors, and retailers are increasingly
required to implement systems for tracing all aspects of food
production from the farm to the ultimate consumer. Much more
stringent tracking or tracing requirements are being imposed upon
importers of food products, and wholesalers and distributors of
such food products, all under the regulatory control of the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). New and stricter regulations
are being imposed under the Bio-terrorism Act of 2002. A recent
requirement of the FDA is that systems must be implemented for
tracing food products back to their source, preferably back to the
farm where the food products were grown. Accordingly, presently
available systems must be modified, or new systems designed, in
order to meet the regulatory requirements. It is also important for
customers requiring high-level compliance by suppliers of products
in the food chain to have a method for rating the suppliers, to
permit retention of only those suppliers meeting compliance
requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object of the invention is to provide an improved method
and system for tracking the movement of food products from the
farm, through processing and packaging, through the distribution
chain from the wholesaler, to the distributor and the ultimate
consumer.
[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
method and system for tracking the movement of food products from
the farm, through processing and packaging, through the
distribution chain from the wholesaler, to the distributor, to the
ultimate consumer, with the system including but not limited to the
use of unique radio frequency identification transponders
(RFID's).
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a food
tracking method and system that includes a centralized database for
maintaining centralized ledgers for tracking uniquely identified
food products from the farm to the ultimate consumer.
[0007] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a
computerized method and system for tracking liquid or
liquid-suspended and other food products through gathering,
processing, and packaging steps, in a manner permitting rapid
identification of crop pickers, gathering baskets, containers,
manufacturers of the baskets and containers, distributors and
processors, involved in growing or raising the food products,
processing and packaging and distributing and selling the food
products, for meeting all governmental, accounting, and
informational requirements.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a computerized
method and system for rating suppliers relative to their level of
compliance to the food tracking method and system.
[0009] With these objects and problems in the prior art in mind,
the present invention provides for tracking the manufacture and
implementation of food gathering baskets, of pickers who may gather
food or of automated equipment used for picking crops, of
containers for moving and shipping the food products, of
manufacturers producing the gathering baskets and shipping
containers, respectively, and of the movement of food products from
one location to another between the farm, processing facilities,
and the entire distribution chain. The actual tracking, in one
embodiment, includes the use of RFID tag systems. All aspects of
the movement of the food products are tracked on a central ledger
associated with a centralized database. The central ledger is
utilized to provide a permanent record for the tracking of food
products from the farm through the conversion thereof into final
products for sale. The system further provides means for using the
ledger to track the cost of various steps in the food processing
chain and distribution system, and for permitting companies to
periodically audit the tracking system to ensure the accuracy of
the data. Farmers and companies involved in the food processing
chain or system may pay a fee to become members of the tracking
system, and be provided with means for ensuring that their
activities are properly recorded in the centralized ledger. The
tracking system provides for means to label all containers involved
in the processing, including food gathering baskets, automated
picking equipment, and so forth, which are permanently labeled with
unique codes that can be scanned to individually identify and track
use of the same. Users of this system are provided with means for
applying labels to the containers with the unique identifying codes
imprinted on the labels. Scanning means are provided to scan labels
for obtaining digitized data indicative of the date, time, and user
of each container or basket. In one embodiment of the invention
users of the system are each provided with a unique numbering
generator associated with a container label maker, for providing a
printed label with a unique number for identifying the container,
whereby for each label produced the user's account would be
charged. The labels are applied to the containers and/or associated
pallets through the entire food processing system. New tracking
labels are applied to pallets loaded with a plurality of relatively
small containers, and are applied to relatively large containers
when repacked. In this manner, means are provided via scanning,
date and time marking the labels, along with other data for
tracking and tracing back every step in the food processing system,
including the manufacture of containers and food gathering baskets,
crop pickers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Container
labels are date and time stamped every time there is a change in
the utilization of the container, such as when it is empty, filled,
emptied, and/or moved from one location to another. Alternatively,
in another embodiment, the labels are in the form of RFID tags.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Various embodiments of the present invention are described
below in association with the drawing, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram showing alternative
embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, a centralized database
is maintained in a computer system for tracking all events from
farm to retailer relative to the handling, processing, packaging,
and movement of food products. In one aspect of the system, the
various producers of food products from farmer to processor,
manufacturers of containers and/or food gathering baskets,
distributors, retailers, and others involved in the food chain, pay
a fee to join a service providing centralized tracking of all
processing and distribution of food products from the originating
farm to the consumer. Each of the user members are provided with
label makers having unique number generators for printing labels
for permanent application to food gathering baskets, shipping
containers, and so forth. Labels placed on the containers provide
scannable printed information uniquely identifying each container.
The labels are then scanned for identifying the manufacturer of the
container, the time and date of manufacture, the present location
of the container and so forth. When a container is filled with a
food product, its label is scanned for identifying the food
product, the farm where food product was produced, and the time and
date of filling the container. The information is entered into a
central ledger.
[0013] Every time a container is moved from one location to another
in the food processing chain, its label is scanned for identifying
the new location of the container and the date and time of
transfer. The user may scan the label with a bar code reader, for
example, and the information read is used to update the inventory
data associated with the user, and also is transferred for updating
a ledger maintained by the centralized computer for tracking all
relevant information and movement of the associated food product.
All transactions associated with the food product are tracked in
this manner, and include farmer identification, picker or food
gatherer identification, gathering basket identification, and
transit shipping from one point to another, receipt of the
container and food product by user, filling of a container with
product, dumping a product from a container, the loss of a
container and its product, and dates of time and sampling of a food
product for testing, test results. The centralized ledger also
provides for receiving data or notes for clarifying particular
actions, for entry into a comment field associated with particular
information obtained from scanning a label. In other words, the
information provided in the ledger can be used to identify the
source and history of the contained food product at any point in
the food processing chain, for example, from an original processing
tank to a shipping drum, followed by transfer to a final retail
container, such as would be the case for tracking food products
suspended in liquid.
[0014] The centralized ledger can also be used to provide data
points from which an accounting system can record the
transformation data useful for the tracking of raw material
inventory as it is converted to final product inventory. Such
tracking can also include cost factors, in order to provide user
companies an opportunity to ensure the accuracy of the data, and
also to determine whether improvements can be made in the
processing for increasing the throughput of the food processing,
and reducing costs. As indicated, the system integrity is
maintained through ensuring that unlabeled containers at a
particular user location are labeled, and time and date stamped at
a user's premises upon receipt, for showing that such containers
are in the inventory of that particular user.
[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the present system
provides for issuing to a user a label maker having associated with
it a unique number generator, for generating a label that uniquely
identifies a particular container. In one approach, a user's
account is charged every time such a label is printed. More
specifically, label charges may be imposed for each printing of a
label at a container manufacturer, and at user facilities during
tracking of unlabeled food products, such as when pallets
containing quantities of containers are re-packed, and the pallets
themselves labeled.
[0016] The label would preferably comprise a scannable bar code,
and below the bar code an alphanumeric depiction of the bar code.
The unique number generator could also include error-checking
digits as part of the bar code, so that system software can
immediately determine the integrity of the number read from the
label. If the number's integrity is not verified, then a new label
is printed and attached to the container. It is then scanned, with
a notation of the number on the discarded label being manually
inputted by an operator using the alphanumeric portion of the
label.
[0017] As an alternative to the use of printed scannable labels, or
in combination therewith, depending upon the application, RFID tags
and associated tag readers are used in another embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a scoring system
is used to rate suppliers involved in various aspects of the entire
bulk food distribution claim, to permit customers to select only
those suppliers who prove themselves able to conform to
predetermined standards associated with maintaining compliance to
the present tracking system.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, a simplified block diagram is
shown with a system for one embodiment of the invention. A typical
user 2 of the present system and method, upon paying an initial fee
to the system provider, receives a label maker 4 that includes a
number generator, for imprinting scannable unique numbers or codes
on the labels. The user 2 must also obtain a scanner 6, whereby the
labels after application are scanned for permitting the information
contained thereon to be inputted into a personal computer 10, in
this example. The scanned information may be directly used by users
2 to update their inventory control for adding new containers 8
received, and for deleting containers 8 that are shipped from a
user's facility to another user downstream in the system in the
food processing stream. The personal computer 10 may be connected
to the Internet 14 for transferring scanned information to the
system provider's server computer 16, for example, for permitting
the provider to update a central ledger 18 maintaining a record of
all movement of the food product and associated containers through
the food processing chain. In an alternative embodiment, the
personal computer 10 may be connected through a modem 12 and a
dedicated or a secure telephone line 13 to the server computer 16
of the provider. A plurality of users can be serviced by the system
provider, as indicated by the Nth user 20. Also, as will be
described in further detail below, an RFID tag system 22 may be
used in combination with or in replacement of label maker 4 and
label scanner 6. Presently available RFID tag systems 22 typically
include a variety of RFID tags, and RFID scanners for reading the
tags. The various components shown for implementation of the system
and associated method by a user 2 are not meant to be limiting, and
other components or devices may be used for carrying out the
methodology of the present system.
[0020] An example of one embodiment of the invention for carrying
out the associated method for tracking of food products from the
farm through the processing chain to the consumer and/or for
tracking the processing and/or distribution of food products
imported into a given country, the United States in this example,
includes the following steps:
[0021] 1. Manufacturers of crop picker food gathering baskets (not
shown) permanently label each basket upon manufacture with a
scannable unique code or number uniquely identifying each
respective basket.
[0022] 2. Manufacturers scan labels of all baskets produced to
record time and date of manufacture and the manufacturer's name,
and each basket is registered as being in a manufacturer's
inventory, the registration being made on local databases, and in a
ledger 18 maintained in a centralized database at the system
provider's location for tracking all information obtained from the
label scanning.
[0023] 3. Manufacturers of large shipping containers 8, including
but not limited to storage tanks, flexible bag tanks, steel drums,
plastic drums, bulk collection baskets, and so forth, at time of
manufacture permanently label each container 8 with a scannable
unique code identifying the container.
[0024] 4. Manufacturers of large containers scan all labels to
register locally and in the centralized ledger the large
containers' placement into a manufacturer's inventory, the date and
time of manufacture, and the identity of the manufacturer.
[0025] 5. Manufacturers of small containers 8 including but not
limited to glass jars and tin cans, at the time of manufacture
group the containers as part of a pallet load, and label the
pallets with permanent labels imprinted with a scannable code
uniquely identifying the respective pallets.
[0026] 6. Manufacturers of small containers 8 scan labels on
pallets to date and time mark, and register locally and on the
centralized ledger 18, the pallet loads of containers that are
being placed into the associated manufacturer's inventory.
[0027] 7. When empty large containers 8 and/or food gathering
baskets are taken from a respective manufacturer's inventory for
shipment to a distributor, for example, the labels on the
containers and/or baskets are scanned for obtaining date and time
marks for operating a personal computer 10 via a database program
to produce a packing list for the shipment of the containers 8
and/or baskets, in addition to providing the scanned information
for automatically reducing the respective manufacturer's inventory,
and updating the central ledger 18.
[0028] 8. When a distributor receives new large containers 8 and/or
gathering baskets, labels are scanned for date and time marking the
containers 8 and/or baskets, and for providing data to update the
distributor's inventory, and the central ledger 18. Similarly, when
the containers 8 and/or baskets are removed from the distributor's
inventory for shipping to an end user, labels are scanned when
loaded into the transport vehicle, for providing data indicating
the date and time of shipment relative to each associated container
8 and/or basket, and for producing a packing list for the shipment,
while at the same time reducing the distributor's inventory for the
particular containers 8 and/or baskets shipped. The same scanned
data is provided to the server computer 16 for updating the central
ledger 18.
[0029] 9. Upon receipt of the empty containers 8 and/or baskets,
the labels on the containers and/or baskets are scanned for time
and date stamping, and the data is provided to update the end user
packer's inventory, and the central ledger 18.
[0030] 10. At the beginning of the food gathering process, a farmer
must ensure that labels of gathering baskets received from a
distributor are scanned for the date and time marking, and for
recording the name of the crop picker to whom each gathering basket
is provided for picking the food products, whereby the scanned data
is used for updating the farmer's inventory, and for updating the
central ledger 18.
[0031] 11. When a crop picker returns a full basket of food
products for a transfer to shipping containers, the basket labels
are scanned for dating and time marking the receipt of a particular
basket, and the data is transmitted to the server computer 16 for
updating the ledger 18 to show the product gathered in each
particular basket, and the identity of the farm and the crop picker
associated with the food product gathered, along with any other
required information.
[0032] 12. When a full basket's food product is transferred to a
larger container 8, the labeling on the basket is scanned for time
and date marking the product transferred, and for including a note
regarding the destination to which the large containers 8 of the
food product are to be shipped. For example, the larger container
may be a food processing tank that is itself labeled with date and
time markings, and scanned for providing data to the farmer's
personal computer 10 for updating the farmer's inventory listing,
and for transferring the data to the server computer 16 for
updating the central ledger 18.
[0033] 13. Intermediate food processors may remove labeled empty
drums from inventory, to a production line where the labels of the
drums are scanned for date and time stamping or marking, and for
obtaining data showing the number and identification of the
production line, and the food product to be loaded into the
associated drum. The associated computer program will then operate
the intermediate processor's personal computer 10 for reducing the
intermediate processor's inventory of food product and drums, as
appropriate, and for supplying the data for updating ledger 18.
[0034] 14. The intermediate processor next delivers the filled
drums for introduction of the contained food product onto a
production line for further processing, at which time each
container is labeled and scanned for time and date marking the
event of so transferring the food product, for providing data for
reducing the intermediate processor's inventory of food product,
and for identifying the processing line associated with the next
processing step. The data is also provided for updating the
centralized ledger 18.
[0035] 15. If the intermediate processor is to add ingredients to
the food products being processed, then previous to doing so, the
intermediate processor must ensure that the containers 8 carrying
the ingredients were labeled upon receipt at the intermediate
processor's facility, and the labels scanned for date and time
stamping or marking, updating the packer's raw materials inventory,
and transmitting the associated data into the system for updating
ledger 18. Subsequent to such labeling and scanning, the
ingredients and their associated containers 8 can then be moved to
the processing line. After the ingredients have been added to the
food products, in this example, the further processed food is
delivered to containers, the container labels are scanned for
showing date and time marking or stamping, and identifying the
ingredients added and the source thereof, and for providing data to
update ledger 18.
[0036] 16. Samples of the food product may be randomly selected
from containers 8 at any point in the food processing chain for
laboratory and quality control analysis. The container 8 for each
sampling has its label scanned for date and time marking, and for
identifying the container from which the food product sampling was
taken. The obtained data is transmitted for updating ledger 18.
[0037] 17. The filled food product containers 8, such as drums for
example, after filling, have their labels scanned for further
identifying the source or sources of the associated food product,
and for noting the transfer of the semi-processed food products
into the intermediate processor's inventory. The scanned data is
provided for updating ledger 18.
[0038] 18. When the containers 8 of semi-processed food products
are removed from the inventory of the intermediate processor, the
associated labels are scanned for time and date marking, for
creating a packing list, for reducing the intermediate processor's
inventory of semi-processed goods, as the semi-processed food
containers are loaded onto the shipping vehicle, and for updating
ledger 18.
[0039] 19. The containers are delivered to a final packer's
facility, where the labels are scanned for marking upon receipt for
obtaining data to update the inventory of the final packer, and for
updating ledger 18. Any sampling or inspection of the food product
in any of the drums is performed along with label scanning for date
and time stamping or marking the drums for recording such samplings
and inspections, and for updating the ledger 18.
[0040] 20. The final packer scans the labels of the drums for date
and time stamping or marking as the drums are delivered for
initiating final packing of the food product. The identification
number of the packing line is included with the data during
scanning of the labels, for providing data for updating the
inventory listing of the final packer, and for updating ledger 18,
whereafter the associated drums are recorded as being removed from
the semi-processed inventory of the final packer.
[0041] 21. Empty palletized containers of glass jars, for example,
are introduced to the final packing line via scanning of labels for
dating and time marking. This scanned data is provided for reducing
the final packer's inventory of packaging material, and for
updating ledger 18.
[0042] 22. The glass jars, in this example, are inkjet coded at the
time of filling with food product via the final packing line, and
filled and closed. The inkjet coding will include information
permitting tracking via the ledger 18 of the food product contained
therein back, through all of the chain of food processing, to the
farm.
[0043] 23. After the jars have been packed with the food product,
such as olives and olive oil, for example, the jars are packed in
appropriate cartons, and palletized. After a pallet is completely
packed with cases of the processed product, a label is created from
the label maker 4 with a unique number printed thereon for
identifying the pallet, and the time and date marking. The label is
scanned, and the data obtained is used to update ledger 18. At this
point in the processing, the ledger will show all of the codes of
all of the jars located on the associated pallet. The scanned data
is also used by the final packer for updating his inventory of
packed and palletized processed food product to show an appropriate
increase therein.
[0044] 24. When the pallets of end-processed food products are
removed from inventory for shipping, the labels on the pallets are
scanned with date and time stampings and scanned for obtaining data
for creating a packing list, reducing the inventory of the final
packer, and for updating ledger 18. The final product inventory of
the final packer is thereby reduced.
[0045] 25. At this point, the computerized system stores via ledger
18 the historical tracking from the farm originating the food
products, to the packaging of the food products in individual
containers, for permitting tracking of the food products through
the entire food processing chain. Accordingly, a consumer by merely
identifying the product purchased via the inkjet code on the glass
jar, in this example, can utilize this code for tracing the food
product back through the food chain to the farm, as indicated. The
unique numbering and/or coding system utilized by the present
invention permits accurate tracing or back tracking of all events
associated with the food product from the farm through to delivery
to the consumer.
[0046] 26. P2P (Peer-To-Peer) programming is used in one embodiment
of the invention to correlate different databases that may be used
by participants in the present tracking process. The process
requires its use throughout the entire product processing steps,
including use of the unique numbering system printed on labels
applied to containers, pallets, drums, and so forth.
[0047] An example of another embodiment or embodiments of the
invention is substantially similar to the above-described
embodiment for steps 1 through 26. The difference is that instead
of using scannable printed labels, as described in the aforesaid
steps, RFID tags are used, whereby each is uniquely encoded, and
each can be scanned through use of an associated RFID scanner. RFID
systems, such as RFID system 22 shown in FIG. 1, are known in the
art. For example, such systems are available from Texas Instruments
Inc., Dallas, Tex.; and RFID, Inc., Aurora, Colo. These companies
provide a variety of RFID tags for use in tagging different types
of items, and for use in a variety of applications. Also companies
specializing in providing RFID tag systems for tagging animals
include Allflex-Boulder, Boulder, Colo.; and Destron Fearing
Corporation, South St. Fall, Minn. Certain Applications, in an
alternative embodiment of the invention, a combination of scannable
printed labels and RFID tags or chips may be used.
[0048] The present invention for marking food containers with
either scannable labels and/or RFID tags or chips, and the tracking
of such containers through the food distribution process, requires
careful and thorough recording of each step involved in the
handling of the food product from the farm to the ultimate
consumer. As indicated above, these steps include tracking the food
product by its associated container at any given time in the
process from the time of being placed in a container, stored,
shipped, refilled into other containers, reshipped, received at
various destination points, dumped or emptied from containers for
further processing, such as cleaning followed by refilling into new
containers, and ultimately to a final destination for sale to the
ultimate consumer, or alternatively to removing the food product at
some point in the food distribution chain due to contamination of
the food product or its having gone bad. Regardless, in order to
ensure the integrity and accuracy of the database being built up as
such food products are tracked, if errors are made in recording
various steps of the process, such as omitting steps, missing
transition points, and so forth, substantially reduce the accuracy
and overall integrity of the associated database. In instances
where the integrity of the associated database is so weakened, it
will be of diminished value for the intended tracking of the food
products, such as for example identifying an olive from a consumer
jar to the fruit-bearing tree. Accordingly, it will be advantageous
to provide a method for permitting customers requiring a high-level
of compliance with the tracking system to have the ability to score
the depth, accuracy, and completeness of the tracking of each
particular food product by each of the various suppliers who are
involved throughout the food chain. By providing such a scoring
system, as will be described in detail below, customers of the
various suppliers will have a means for ensuring that they only
deal with suppliers who are able to consistently score above
predetermined level of accuracy, such as 90% or better, for
example. In such a manner, it is expected that suppliers who wish
to be retained by their customers, will ensure that they institute
procedures to provide the expected scores.
[0049] The score for depth is a principal factor in the overall
scoring system. What is meant by depth in the present scoring
system is the ability to accurately track a food product to its
previous transition point. It is expected that the present
invention will provide for customers the ability to establish their
own scoring percentages. However, for purposes of example, the
following is a reasonable percentage scoring method. More
specifically, for depth, if a product can be accurately tracked to
its previous transition point, the associated supplier would then
receive a 50% mark. If the product can be tracked two iterations
back, the supplier will then receive a 75% mark. Note that in this
example "an iteration is defined as a description of a transfer or
transformation of a food product at some pointing the food
distribution chain." Continuing with the depth scoring proposed
method, if the food product can be tracked three iterations back,
then the supplier will receive an 87% mark. Lastly, if a supplier
can track accurately to four or more iterations back, the supplier
will receive a 100% mark. A supplier becomes qualified if they can
accurately track back for multiple lots of product to obtain a
predetermined score, such as a total score of at least 90% for each
lot processed. However, if a supplier is only responsible for one,
or two, or three iterations back, then if they are shown to be able
to accurately track back the number of iterations they are
responsible for in a very accurate manner, they will receive a
score of 100%.
[0050] An example of the scoring process for iteration can be
illustrated using the example of an olive that is harvested raw in
its first iteration. Next, the olive is processed in fermentation
tanks in its second iteration. In its third iteration it is pitted
and stuffed and then packed in bulk drums. In the fifth iteration,
it is loaded onto a packing line for processing and deposit into a
jar. Lastly, in a sixth iteration it is sold in its individual
container to the ultimate consumer. Accordingly, a farmer who is
only responsible for picking olives from a tree and depositing them
into a container, will be granted a score of 100% if the farmer can
be shown to be able to accurately trace the olive back to a given
tree. Similarly, a processing plant responsible for the second
through fourth iterations will receive a score of 100% if it can
accurately track back to identify the source trees for the olives
processed.
[0051] In the scoring system, as indicated above, a test other than
depth can include accuracy, repetitions, and omissions, all of
which are used to modify the basic score granted for the ability to
track back. For purposes of simplification, accuracy can be used to
cover all of accuracy, repetitions and omissions, since all are
interrelated. For example, a 100% accuracy rate on a 100% depth
rate will provide a score of 100%, in the present proposed system.
Alternatively, if the accuracy score is 90%, and the depth score is
100%, one would multiply the two scores together, providing a 90%
score for the associated supplier. In the scoring embodiment of the
invention, the tests are conducted on a computer utilizing a
program and databases set up for querying other databases (not
shown) on a Peer-To-Peer (P2P) basis. The server computer 16 shown
in FIG. 1 is programmed to carry out the scoring system
requirement, in this example.
[0052] It is further expected that the administrator of the present
tracking system, will in addition to the various tasks indicated
above, also conduct audits of food products bought randomly at
retail outlets, and determine how far such food products can be
accurately traced back relative to their various iterations from
farm to consumer. It is expected that the results of the audits
will be distributed to the various suppliers who are identified in
the trace back study, with the results being supplied in an
anonymous manner. Also, through use of such audits relative to
identified products that were subject to the present tracking
system, various algorithms developed for the tracking system can
then be modified in order to improve the accuracy of the tracking
system itself.
[0053] Although various embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described herein, they are not meant to be limiting.
Those of skill in the art may recognize certain modifications to
these embodiments, which modifications are meant to be covered by
the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the
methodology of the present invention has been described and
illustrated in association with tracking food products that may be
suspended in liquid, or in which the food products themselves may
be liquid. However, the present method and system for tracking food
products is not meant to be so limited, and can with alteration be
applied for use for tracking food products that are otherwise
packaged.
* * * * *